Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 28-10-2016
The Anti-Visa Fee Committee (AVFC) says South African Muslims not comfortable with the exorbitant Umrah visa costs should consider delaying their pilgrimage hoping that Saudi authorities may consider scraping or reducing the charges.
A delegation of the AVFC met with officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) last week raising various issues relating to the new visa fees.
DIRCO told AVFC it would engage its Saudi Arabian counterparts on the excessive charges for pilgrims to travel to the kingdom.
The AVFC say it’s has also sent a letter to the Saudi Arabian Embassy Pretoria which has been forward to authorities in the kingdom.
Co-Chair Yusuf Abramjee says the Embassy indicated it had no information on the new visa charges.
“I had a call from the ambassadors office saying there was no need for us to meet. They did dispatch our letter off to the kingdom, to the ministry and there was no feedback. They also did point out they’ve got nothing further to add to what has already been implemented.”
Abramjee says those who are not comfortable with the exorbitant visa fees, could consider delaying their trip.
“Many countries are boycotting the Umrah and some countries have even suspended it. We’ve taken the decision that South Africa will not boycott the Umrah operation, however it’s an individual decision for those pilgrims who are waiting and if they wish to delay their trip for Umrah, it’s a decision they must take and do so on their own (steam).
Abramjee says there are also Reports of the implementation of mandatory health insurance that’s have been received, but the committee could not confirm if and when this will be implemented.
Currently the system requires a fee of SR 2,000 in addition to a SR 450 MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) fee if one has visited the Kingdom in the last three years.
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